Alex

Loyalty

Dr. Meyers groaned as consciousness dragged him back to the surface. His head throbbed, a deep ache pulsing through his skull. The scent of damp concrete and rust filled his nostrils. He tried to move, but the sharp bite of restraints digging into his wrists and ankles reminded him of his predicament.

He was tied to a cold metal chair, the room shrouded in oppressive darkness save for the harsh overhead light that illuminated his face. Shadows danced along the walls, the faint buzz of a nearby electrical panel humming ominously.

"Well, look who's finally awake," a familiar voice drawled from the shadows.

Jacob stepped into the circle of light, his expression unreadable but his eyes gleaming with something between amusement and malice. Behind him, Ashcroft sat in his wheelchair, his steely gray eyes fixed on Meyers, exuding an air of predatory calm.

"Jacob," Meyers rasped, his throat dry. "And Ashcroft. What a surprise."

"Cut the sarcasm, Daniel," Jacob said, his voice cold. He leaned in close, his lips curling into a thin smile. "You've caused us quite a bit of trouble, you know that?"

"You mean by helping Alex escape your clutches?" Meyers shot back, his voice gaining strength. "I'd say that was long overdue."

Ashcroft chuckled darkly, the sound devoid of humor. "Your defiance is almost admirable, Daniel. Almost. But let's not pretend this is about heroics. You've always been a coward-hiding behind your research, letting others take the risks while you stayed safe in your lab."

Jacob straightened, circling Meyers slowly. "You betrayed us, Daniel. You stole from us. And for what? To help a failed experiment?"

"She's not a failure," Meyers snapped, his voice rising. "She's more than you ever gave her credit for, Jacob. She's not just some tool for your twisted ambitions."

Jacob's expression darkened, his calm façade slipping. He lashed out, striking Meyers across the face. The force of the blow sent a sharp pain radiating through Daniel's jaw, but he refused to give Jacob the satisfaction of crying out.

Ashcroft tilted his head, his tone almost conversational. "Tell us where she is, Daniel. Save yourself the pain and tell us where Alex is hiding."

Meyers spat blood onto the floor, his glare unwavering. "You'll have to kill me first."

Jacob smirked. "Oh, Daniel, we're not going to kill you. Not yet. We need you-your knowledge, your access codes, your brain. But that doesn't mean we can't make you wish you were dead."

Ashcroft leaned forward in his wheelchair, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You'll talk eventually, Daniel. Everyone talks. It's just a matter of how much pain you can endure before you do."

Jacob stepped back, his hands clasped behind his back. "You know how this goes. The longer you resist, the worse it gets. So why prolong the inevitable?"

Meyers closed his eyes, steeling himself. His mind raced, calculating his options. He couldn't let them find Alex, but how much longer could he hold out?

Jacob turned to Ashcroft. "Shall we begin?"

Ashcroft smiled, a cold, cruel glint in his eyes. "By all means. Let's see how loyal Dr. Meyers really is."

The sound of footsteps and the metallic scrape of a cart being wheeled closer filled the room. Meyers braced himself, knowing the interrogation was about to take a far darker turn.

Jacob picked up a small device from the cart-a sleek, cylindrical instrument that emitted a faint hum. He turned it over in his hands as if admiring its design before activating it. A sharp crackle of electricity surged from the tip.